attest

1
as in to certify
to declare (something) to be true or genuine the appraiser attests that the lamp is indeed an original Tiffany

Synonyms & Similar Words

Relevance
2
as in to testify
to make a solemn declaration under oath for the purpose of establishing a fact an eyewitness who will attest to my innocence

Synonyms & Similar Words

3

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb attest contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of attest are certify, vouch, and witness. While all these words mean "to testify to the truth or genuineness of something," attest applies to oral or written testimony usually from experts or witnesses.

attested to the authenticity of the document

When would certify be a good substitute for attest?

The words certify and attest can be used in similar contexts, but certify usually applies to a written statement, especially one carrying a signature or seal.

certified that the candidate had met all requirements

When could vouch be used to replace attest?

The meanings of vouch and attest largely overlap; however, vouch applies to one who testifies as a competent authority or a reliable person.

willing to vouch for her integrity

When is witness a more appropriate choice than attest?

Although the words witness and attest have much in common, witness applies to the subscribing of one's own name to a document as evidence of its genuineness.

witnessed the signing of the will

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of attest And while screenwriting has always been a competitive field, industry veterans attested that the conditions have rarely ever been harsher for young writers. Malia Mendez, Los Angeles Times, 5 May 2025 Interior designer Christina Simon of her eponymous Austin studio can attest to Mays’s definition, having had a hand in transforming his circa-1915 bungalow in Travis Heights, Austin, into a space that’s grandpa-chic by day and trippy by night. Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 25 Apr. 2025 The support isn’t close to luxurious, to which anyone who has seen Section 8 apartments or public housing developments can attest. Erik Sherman, Forbes.com, 7 May 2025 Play me off … ‘The Imperial March’ As any member of the Rebel Alliance or the Galactic Empire will attest, today — the fourth day of May — is Star Wars Day! Andrew Torgan, CNN Money, 4 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for attest
Recent Examples of Synonyms for attest
Verb
  • Hours earned during the pre-apprenticeship program can be transferred over to the apprenticeship program, Apprenticeship Coordinator Kimberly Moore said, adding that the program is certified by the state through the Office of Skills Development.
    Lena Miano, Arkansas Online, 20 May 2025
  • Sadly, no sign of appeal The First District refused to rehear its decision by all 13 members of the court but certified two key questions to the Supreme Court.
    Sun Sentinel Editorial Board, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • Combs’ former employee Capricorn Clark is expected to testify first, followed by two law enforcement officials.
    Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 25 May 2025
  • Cudi testified that Combs was livid that the Grammy-winning rapper had been seeing Ventura romantically, even spending the holidays with her family in Connecticut.
    Joshua Rhett Miller, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 May 2025
Verb
  • In Bitcoin, nodes verify signatures and miners’ proof of work.
    Korok Ray, Forbes.com, 19 May 2025
  • The Times could not yet verify whether Bartkus had any other affiliation with the base.
    Richard Winton, Los Angeles Times, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • It was built after decades of fraud to guarantee that votes are counted, verified, and trusted.
    Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025
  • Trump’s ‘Golden Dome’ missile defense plan was inspired by Israel’s multitiered defenses Israeli leaders say the system isn’t 100% guaranteed, but credit it with preventing serious damage and countless casualties.
    Kazem Kazerounian, Hartford Courant, 29 May 2025
Verb
  • Steve Burton confirms 'General Hospital' exit over vaccine mandate: This 'hurts'Need a break?
    Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 May 2025
  • The Tiger King star confirmed the deportation of Flores via social media.
    Charlotte Phillipp, People.com, 19 May 2025
Verb
  • But all eyes are likely to be on A$AP Rocky, who’s done some scattered acting before, but who appears in his biggest role to date as Yung Felon, a part whose place in the story has yet to be revealed, but that’s been affirmed by Lee to be a major one.
    Alison Willmore, Vulture, 13 May 2025
  • The new pope’s brother had to resolve an online dispute by affirming Leo is a fan of the South Side’s Chicago White Sox and not the North Side’s Cubs.
    Carmen M. Nanko-Fernández, The Conversation, 9 May 2025
Verb
  • But the state’s attorney general, Gentner Drummond, sued and argued the state constitution did not allow for public funds to be spent for churches or the teaching of religion.
    David G. Savage, Los Angeles Times, 22 May 2025
  • The moderates advocated for an increase to the SALT cap, currently set at $10,000, but argued that the $30,000 cap outlined in the package remained too low.
    Kaia Hubbard, CBS News, 22 May 2025
Verb
  • Several of Diddy’s former employees described witnessing violence against Cassie.
    Victoria Bekiempis, Vulture, 28 May 2025
  • Gradual unwind Other analysts say the carry trade impact may not be as severe as witnessed last year.
    Lee Ying Shan, CNBC, 28 May 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Attest.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/attest. Accessed 2 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on attest

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!